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Medical Bulletin 21/August/2025 - Video
Overview
Here are the top medical news for the day:
Health Risks Involved with Early Puberty and Child Birth in Women: Study Finds
Women who experience early puberty or give birth at a young age face significantly higher risks of age-related diseases and accelerated biological aging, according to a new study published in eLife. The research, led by scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, found that girls who begin menstruating before age 11 or women who give birth before 21 are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity—and are four times more likely to suffer from severe metabolic disorders later in life.
The study used a large-scale analysis of nearly 200,000 women from the UK Biobank, applying regression models to identify genetic associations between reproductive timing and aging outcomes. “We identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on aging,” said lead author Dr. Yifan Xiang, a postdoctoral fellow at Buck. “Many of these markers are involved in well-known longevity pathways, such as IGF-1, growth hormone, AMPK, and mTOR signaling—key regulators of metabolism and aging.”
The study also offers strong human evidence supporting the theory of antagonistic pleiotropy—the idea that traits beneficial in early life, like early reproduction, can have negative consequences later, including accelerated aging and disease.
The researchers also found that Body Mass Index (BMI) plays a major role in this relationship, with early reproductive events contributing to higher BMI, which in turn elevates the risk of metabolic conditions.
Senior author Dr. Pankaj Kapahi emphasized the public health importance of these findings. Kapahi said these findings should drive more personalized healthcare strategies, especially for women who experienced early reproductive events. “While we cannot change our genetic inheritance, understanding these genetic tradeoffs empowers us to make informed choices about health, lifestyle and medical care,” he concluded, adding that tailored interventions like metabolic screenings and dietary adjustments could improve long-term health outcomes.
Reference: Yifan Xiang, Vineeta Tanwar, Parminder Singh, Lizellen La Follette, Vikram Pratap Narayan, Pankaj Kapahi (2025) Early menarche and childbirth accelerate aging-related outcomes and age-related diseases: Evidence for antagonistic pleiotropy in humans eLife 13:RP102447
Can Just an Hour of Scrolling Reels Lead to Eye Strain?
A recent study published in the Journal of Eye Movement Research has revealed that just one hour of scrolling through social media reels on smartphones can lead to significant eye fatigue. Conducted by researchers from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, the study highlights that not only the duration but also the type of digital content consumed plays a critical role in triggering digital eye strain.
Digital eye strain has become increasingly common in the age of smartphones, with blue light exposure from screens linked to sleep disruption and visual discomfort. The research team developed a portable, low-cost system to measure the impact of smartphone usage on visual fatigue among young Indian adults. The system recorded key visual activity parameters such as blink rate, inter-blink interval, and pupil diameter during an hour-long session of smartphone use involving e-book reading, video watching, and scrolling through short-form social media content like reels.
“Social media content causes greater pupil fluctuations than reading or watching a video,” the researchers noted. They added that “prolonged smartphone use, exceeding 20 minutes at a time, can lead to physical and mental health issues, including psychophysiological disorders.” According to the findings, social media reels, which feature rapid screen brightness and intensity changes, reduce blink rate and increase inter-blink intervals and pupil dilation, making them especially likely to cause eye fatigue.
The effects were not limited to eye discomfort. About 60% of participants reported symptoms such as neck pain, hand fatigue, and moderate to severe eyestrain. Even more strikingly, 83% of the participants indicated experiencing psychophysiological disorders like anxiety, disturbed sleep, and mental exhaustion after prolonged screen use.
To mitigate these effects, 40% of users said they adopted screen hygiene practices such as using blue light filters or enabling dark mode. The study underscores the need for awareness around responsible smartphone usage, particularly with the increasing popularity of short-form video content that may accelerate visual fatigue.
Reference: Dandumahanti, B. P., Chittoor, P. K., & Subramaniyam, M. (2025). Digital Eye Strain Monitoring for One-Hour Smartphone Engagement Through Eye Activity Measurement System. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 18(4), 34.
Body Type Influences How Fasting Affects Metabolism, Study Finds
A recent study led by researchers at UBC Okanagan has explored the effects of fasting on metabolism and the immune system, revealing important differences between people living with obesity and those who are lean.
The research, published in iScience, focused on how fasting as part of a ketogenic, very low-carbohydrate diet impacts the body’s ability to switch from burning sugar to fat, and its effect on inflammation and immune cell activity.
The team conducted a controlled 48-hour fasting experiment with participants from both obese and lean groups. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after the fast to measure hormones, metabolites, metabolic rate, inflammation, and the activity of T cells—white blood cells that fight infection but can also contribute to chronic inflammation.
Results showed that people with obesity had higher levels of pro-inflammatory T cells and continued to produce inflammatory signals even after fasting. This group also experienced a smaller increase in ketones compared to lean participants, indicating a reduced metabolic response. Interestingly, immune cells in lean individuals adapted to fasting by burning more fat, shifting toward a balanced, anti-inflammatory state. However, this shift was weaker in people living with obesity. Dr. Hashim Islam, lead author, suggested that while fasting offers health benefits, obesity might dampen these positive effects on metabolism and immunity. He emphasized that more research is needed to understand whether these differences are ultimately beneficial or harmful.
This study highlighted the complex relationship between nutrition, metabolism, and immune function, suggesting that fasting’s therapeutic potential may vary based on body type. Tailored approaches could be necessary to optimize health outcomes for people with obesity.
Reference: Helena Neudorf1, Roderick E. Sandilands, Spencer Ursel, Hillary Shaba, Darren Barg, Takeshi Tsusaka, María Dolores Moya-Garzón, Erica Vaz, Patricia Schimweg, Emily L. Goldberg, Jonathan Z. Long, Karsten Krüger, Hashim Islamona, Jonthan P. Little (2025). Alteredimmunometabolic response to fasting in humans living with obesity. iScience. doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112872